Lac Saussat

Lac Saussat is a mountain lake in the commune of Oô, in the Haute-Garonne department of the French Pyrenees, not far from the spa town of Bagnères-de-Luchon. It sits at roughly 1,920 to 1,940 metres above sea level, on the same high-altitude circuit that draws hikers to the well-known Lac d'Oô.

Where exactly is it?

The lake belongs to a chain of alpine lakes strung along the valley of the Neste d'Oô. It lies between Lac d'Espingo, downstream, and Lac du Portillon, further upstream near the Spanish border. Lac Saussat receives inflow from Lac du Portillon via the Neste d'Oô, as well as some water from the nearby Lac Glacé d'Oô, and in turn feeds Lac d'Espingo further down the valley. Its shape is irregular, stretching up to about 500 metres north to south and 200 metres east to west, for a surface area of roughly 6 hectares.

How do you get there?

The most direct approach starts at Granges d'Astau, a small hamlet at around 1,130 metres in the commune of Oô. A broad, easy path climbs first to Lac d'Oô, one of the Pyrenees' best-known lakes, fed by a 275-metre waterfall that tumbles down the valley headwall. Beyond that lake the trail turns considerably steeper, winding up switchbacks for roughly 400 metres of additional ascent to reach Lac d'Espingo. From there, a final, much shorter stretch of about fifteen minutes leads to Lac Saussat, through terrain that grows progressively more rocky and remote. Hikers can also approach from Bagnères-de-Luchon on a longer route.

What makes the lake distinctive?

Compared with the busier Lac d'Oô, Lac Saussat feels far quieter and more remote. Its water is notably clear, with a deep greenish tint. The surrounding landscape marks a transition from mid-mountain pasture to a starker, high-mountain environment, with bare rock and views toward the peaks that ring the valley. The name itself comes from the Béarnese Occitan word "saussat", meaning a place planted with willows.

When should you go?

The route is generally only practicable from June to October, once snow has cleared from the higher sections. Outside that window, reaching the lake requires winter mountaineering experience and equipment, given the altitude and the steep approach beyond Lac d'Espingo.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lac Saussat connected to Lac d'Oô? Yes — they belong to the same chain of lakes in the valley, with Lac Saussat lying higher up the same trail, above Lac d'Espingo and below Lac du Portillon.

Can you fish at Lac Saussat? Fishing is allowed in season, under the applicable local regulations.

How long does the full hike take from Granges d'Astau? Timing varies with fitness and pace, but the route runs through three stages: a gentle climb to Lac d'Oô, a much steeper 400-metre ascent to Lac d'Espingo, and a final short fifteen-minute stretch to Lac Saussat.

Is the trail difficult? The first section to Lac d'Oô is wide and easy; the climb beyond it, up to Lac d'Espingo and then Lac Saussat, is considerably harder, with steep switchbacks that demand reasonable fitness.

When is the lake accessible to visitors? Essentially only from June to October, once the upper sections of the trail are free of snow.